Български
EnglishThe son of Bay Riban, Dimitar Iliev, addressed the Bulgarian people to share details about the ongoing 11-month harassment his family has been subjected to. He emphasized that only true Bulgarians are helping them. Iliev expressed shame for the country he lives in, saying that he is even ashamed to wear a hat with the word “Bulgaria” on it.
The absurd proposal: we should wash Patarinski’s underwear
Last week, a face-to-face meeting took place with Patarinski, Borisov, and Atanasov, at our request, to discuss how the case could finally be resolved. We waited a week to see if the institutions would offer “something sensible and reasonable,” but that didn’t happen.
The demand to destroy our own lives
The solution given to us by Patarinski was for us to load our own sheep (healthy and pregnant animals that are about to start lambing in about a month). We were told to transport them, “bit by bit,” with our own truck to the incinerator in Plovdiv for destruction. Dimitar Iliev firmly rejected this, asking whether we were expected to wash Patarinski’s underwear. We call this “utter nonsense” and “madness” that will never happen.
The contradiction with the culling order
We raise the question of why no one comes to enforce the culling order if it is supposedly legal. For 11 months now, we have been “hostages,” waiting for a resolution.
Failure to enforce the order and doubts about its legality
We insist that the authorities come and execute the order to put an end to this “movie.” The response we received was: “we can’t.” For four months, no one has come to enforce the “legal order.” Logically, looking back at how the investigation began, the disinfections, and the “cubic meter of water,” the order will likely turn out to be illegal.
The harassment of the family
Throughout these 11 months, it has been “torture,” “harassment,” and “repression.” We ask whether this is the way institutions are supposed to “serve the people.” None of the 240 members of parliament has raised the issue of our situation.
Repressions and threats of financial destruction
On Tuesday (from 2 p.m.) in Pazardzhik, in front of the Regional Food Safety Directorate (ODBH), we will hold accountable Mr. Chavdarov, who signs the official acts, as well as the executive director and 14 doctors who signed that they had visited the farm — even though no one has appeared during these 11 months. We also have a contract with a general practitioner who hasn’t shown up either, and we will hold him accountable too.
The acts and their purpose
The writing of acts against us continues. These acts are being issued with the purpose of preventing us from receiving compensation for the animals if they are destroyed. We will appeal these acts.
Threats from the National Revenue Agency and investigation for terrorism
During the meeting, Petya warned us that the Bulgarian state would impose all possible restrictions on us. An audit by the National Revenue Agency (NAP) is coming, which will allegedly impose such financial obligations that “even the sheep won’t be enough, the house won’t be enough, and they’ll take the barns too.” In response to these threats, we said: “let them not impale us and crucify us too, and it will all be over.”
In addition, a prosecutorial or police investigation (not yet turned into a case) has been initiated with accusations of terrorism and illegal trade.
Financial transparency and the maintenance of the farm
The rumors that we’ve collected “millions of leva” that we haven’t even seen are false.
The real amounts and expenses
We are presenting a bank statement from the account’s opening (February 2024) to February 16, 2025. The total balance is about 38,000 – 40,000 leva. This amount has already decreased, as we have withdrawn money. These funds have been used for the care of 2,000 sheep and other animals (including 20 horses) that we have on the farm, as well as for the maintenance of a ten-member family.
It should be noted that the upkeep of one animal costs about 1 lev per day, or even just a few “stotinki.” Some time ago, we were forbidden to receive feed deliveries. We currently owe money for hay bales and feed. We are ready to provide a full report to anyone who wishes to see it.
Personal trial and Bay Riban’s health
During the meeting with Patarinski, our father (Bay Riban) was separated into another room so they could try to convince him to give up the animals, but he categorically refused.
We visited my father’s examining doctor, who asked why we had waited so long (January, February). During the examination, a large “lump” protruded from my father’s anus. A scan is scheduled to determine whether there is any spread to the outer part of the intestine. Additionally, my father’s health insurance payments do not appear in the system, even though they were paid, but we are working on correcting the amount.
A call to the world: we will not surrender
We tell all of Bulgaria that we will not surrender and we will not give up our animals. We will fight to prove the truth to the very end.
We will not die every day because “cowards die every day,” while “heroes die only once.” We will release a new video to show that the animals are alive and healthy.
A call for help with languages
I have an appeal to everyone who knows several languages (such as Romanian, Greek, Turkish, English) to contact us. We want this entire story of harassment and repression to be told to the whole world.
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